"This Is What They Mean By The American Dream": Sebastian Stan Reacts To His First-Ever Oscar Nomination For His Controversial Role

Sebastian Stan received his first-ever Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Donald Trump in the biopic The Apprentice. The movie, which premiered in October 2024, follows a young and eager Trump who goes under the apprenticeship of Joseph McCarthy’s former chief counsel, Roy Cohn, in the 1970s. Some of Sebastian Stan’s best movies tackle biographical content, including his role as Jeff Gillooly in I, Tonya. The Apprentice earned a solid 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and in addition to Stan, features performances from Jeremy Strong, Maria Bakalova, Martin Donovan, and Charlie Carrick.

While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter about his Oscar nomination, Stan expressed his gratitude, feeling both speechless and humbled by the recognition. He acknowledged the honor as a realization of the “American dream” and expressed thanks to everyone involved in bringing the project to life. Check out his comments below:

I’m speechless. I’m humbled. I guess this is what they mean by the American dream. I’m so grateful to everyone who made the impossible possible. Thank you for this brave recognition.

What This Means For Sebastian Stan and The Apprentice

Hollywood Is Interested In Controversy, And Stan’s Performance Is No Exception

Stan’s portrayal of a young Trump in The Apprentice has become a subject of debate due to its unflinching depiction of its titular character’s early years, and Trump himself even weighed in. Some audiences have praised the film for its profundity, along with a vivacious take on the emergence of Trump and his morally flexible approach to achieving his goals. Others, however, criticized The Apprentice for humanizing a figure as controversial as Trump, with some suggesting the film’s depiction may inadvertently glamorize unseemly behavior. Moreover, some have flagged the film’s content to be inaccurate.

The Apprentice Review: Sebastian Stan’s Uncanny Trump Performance Is Award-Winning In Striking Biopic

While the film is exactly what you’d expect, it comes with stunning performances and an exciting script that enchants you with its drama.

In the midst of the 2024-2025 awards season, Stan’s recognition for his work on The Apprentice comes at a time when the film industry is increasingly focused on recent events. Undoubtedly, his nomination places him in direct competition with other standout performances like Adrien Brody, Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, and Ralph Fiennes, but it also raises important questions about cinema engaging with politics. While other actors expressed apprehension around the film, The Apprentice contributes to an ongoing conversation about the boundaries of biographical films.

Our Take on Stan’s Oscar Nomination

Stan’s Performance Was Meant to Challenge Audiences

Sebastian Stan in a club as Donald Trump in The Apprentice

Stan stepped into the role of Donald Trump with a nuanced approach, and his first Oscar nomination for The Apprentice reflects his range as an actor. In playing such a divisive figure, Stan’s performance reflects the film’s intent to provoke thought and discussion around real-world politics, especially during the current climate in the U.S. This recognition not only celebrates Stan’s skill, but also highlights The Apprentice’s contribution to the conversation about the role of film in challenging conversations.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter